Pleasantville, N.Y. – Sophomore second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) recorded three RBI to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a 7-3 victory over Pace University in the first game of a Northeast-10 Conference Southwest Division doubleheader on Saturday at the Pace Softball Field. The Setters won the nightcap, 4-0.

The Dolphins opened the scoring in the first game with a pair of runs in the first inning on three hits. Graduate student center fielder Kelsey Johnson (Greece, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy/Buffalo/Syracuse) led off the game with a single to center, took second on a single up the middle by sophomore catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) and then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore third baseman Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) followed with a grounder to first base to drive in Johnson. Senior designated player Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) then singled to right to plate Nicolosi.

Le Moyne extended its lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning on five hits. Andrews led off with a single through the left side and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. After a groundout, freshman pinch-hitter Kelsey White (Middletown, Conn./Middletown) singled through the left side to drive in Andrews from third. McManus then blasted a home run to left field for the five-run lead.

Pace got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. After second baseman Niyah Brown singled to left field to open the frame, she scored on a double to left center by right fielder Jordan Chillinsky.

The Setters pushed across another run in the fifth. Center fielder Larissa Labs singled to the second baseman with one out, took second on a single up the middle by third baseman Lindsey Ah Soon and advanced to third on a walk by Brown to load the bases. After a pop out, designated player Emma Schafer drew a walk to force in Labs.

Le Moyne got the run back in the sixth inning. Senior pitcher Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) led off with a double down the right field line and was replaced at second by freshman pinch-runner Johnna Karas (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin). After an out, McManus singled up the middle to plate Karas.

The Dolphins completed their scoring with a run in the top of the seventh. Bellrose doubled with one out and was replaced at second by sophomore pinch-runner Kalie Schumaker (Constantia, N.Y./Paul V. Moore) and then Andrews was hit by a pitch and replaced at first by freshman pinch-runner/left fielder Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton). Following a wild pitch, senior left fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy) singled up the middle to knock in Schumaker.

The Setters plated a run in the seventh, but could not get any closer. Ah Soon singled to the shortstop with one out, but was retired at second as Brown reached on a fielder's choice. Chillinsky then doubled to right center to drive in Brown.

Eastman earned her 10th victory of the season after striking out seven, while yielding three runs. Johnson, Nicolosi, Andrews, Eastman and McManus each recorded two hits for the Dolphins. MacKenzie Garrick took the loss after allowing five runs (two earned) on nine hits over three and two-thirds innings.

In the nightcap, Pace scored the only run it would need in the fifth on two hits. Shortstop Ashley Lew reached on a bunt single to third base with one out and came around to score on a triple to left center by Labs.

The Setters added three runs on four hits and two errors in the sixth. Chillinsky led off with a single to left and advanced to third on an error by the first baseman as designated player Jillian Gartner reached on a bunt single to the first baseman. Pinch-hitter Briana Ryan followed with a single through the left side to drive in Chillinsky. Schafer then reached on a throwing error by the pitcher, which allowed Gartner to score. After a Le Moyne pitching change, left fielder Tara Bernstein singled to the pitcher to drive in Ryan.

Freshman righty Lauren Nichols (Syracuse, N.Y./Solvay) took the loss after yielding four runs (one earned) over five-plus innings, while striking out six. Emma Bernet earned the victory for the Setters after striking out four and only allowing four hits over seven innings.

Le Moyne (17-7, 3-4 NE10, 3-2 SW), which won the series against the Setters for the first time since 2013, opens its home schedule on Wednesday against The College of Saint Rose at 3:00 p.m.